Dear colleague,

We’re disappointed that Unite Union has called for further industrial action within our pathology service for five days, from 00.01 Monday 27 April to 23.59 Friday 1 May.

This will significantly reduce our capacity to process samples in our laboratories. We will prioritise clinically urgent cases, such as tests for cancer patients and emergency patients requiring blood transfusions.

We’re also working closely with GPs to ensure patients get their results back as quickly as possible and will have plans in place for any tests they feel are urgent.

We have asked Unite to agree to provide safe cover during the strike, which usually happens in the NHS to help reduce risks to patients.

If you have not been contacted, please attend your appointment as usual.

Pathology staff are striking due to the changes we need to make to the way the service is run. We are one of very few trusts that don’t have a 24/7 service and rely on a voluntary on call system for out of hours work.

We appreciate moving to a new shift system will impact colleagues. We have offered Unite an enhanced level of pay protection for colleagues affected by a loss of earnings, that is above Trust Policy and is comparable to what other NHS Trusts offered when going through such consultations with Unite. Unite have not accepted this enhanced offer.

We hope a resolution is found soon for both our staff and our patients. Read more in our news story.

Our focus for 2026 - 2029

This week, we launched our organisational goals, setting out our priorities for the next three years.

Our four Trust-wide goals each have headline objectives and deliverables to measure progress. These are:

• Deliver high-quality, patient centred care
• Deliver sustainable, high performing services
• Create a diverse and inclusive workplace
• Make better use of resource to get financially fit

To help us achieve these, our executives have four overarching priorities:

• Improve the quality of care while spending less
• Cut waiting times
• Make BHRUT a better place to work
• Get more services out of the hospital and into the community

We look forward to keeping you updated.

Making progress in our digital journey

Since the launch of our electronic patient record (EPR) in November, we’ve seen many benefits for our patients. One of these is rapid testing in A&E, allowing staff to detect infections such as flu and Covid in just 13 minutes. Previously staff had to wait anywhere from 24-48 hours for the lab results to be added to the system.

As Dora Afolayan, a healthcare assistant in A&E at Queen’s Hospital says, this digital link is making a huge difference to staff on the frontline.

It’s also great that patients can now view their outpatient appointments in the NHS App, making it easier to access information at the tap of a button, anytime and anywhere. 

Patients will still receive a text message and a letter if notifications aren’t opened, ensuring they don’t miss important information about their appointment.

An exciting new chapter for our charity and our Trust

Our charity has now become independent from the Trust, giving it greater autonomy to grow and the ability to support more projects across our hospitals. 

Over the past five years, the charity has invested more than £5 million into enhancing patient care, supporting our staff and improving our environments, for which we’re very grateful.

This weekend, staff and members of the public are taking on the London Marathon to say thank you for the care their families have received, from neonatal intensive care to cancer treatment.

My thanks to everyone taking part and best of luck - your efforts will make a real difference.

Best wishes,

Matthew